Plug connector



F. J. DEKAY PLUG CONNECTOR May 7, 1940.

Filed Nov. 17, 1938 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Patented May 7, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFlCE 1 Claim.

This invention relates to plug connectors and has for an object to provide a receptacle and cap so constructed as to permit easy application of the cap without the operator being put to the effort of accurately aligning the prongs of the cap with the contacts of the receptacle.

A further object is to provide a cap having a stem and conductor fins upon diametrically opposite sides of the stem, the stem being longer than the fins to engage in a central cylindrical opening in the receptacle and the fins having rounded edges to conform to the curvature of the concave outer face formed on the receptacle so that by merely inserting the stem in the opening and rotating the cap until the fins are intercepted by the contact receiving openings in the receptacle, the cap may be easily and quickly applied.

A further object is to provide a device of this character which will be formed of a few strong simple and durable parts, which will be inexpensive to manufacture, and which will not easily get out of order.

With the above and other objects in view the invention consists of certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter fully described and claimed, it being understood that various modifications may be resorted to within the scope of the appended claim without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

In the accompanying drawing forming part of this specification:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of an outlet including a receptacle and cap constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the parts shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the cap with a portion broken away.

Figure 4 is a cross sectional view of the cap taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 3, looking in the direction of the arrowheads.

Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the receptacle with a portion in elevation.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the cap.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the shell cover of the receptacle, showing the concave face thereof.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the receptacle body.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of one of the fins.

Figure 10 is a perspective view of one of the spring contacts.

Referring now to the drawing in which like characters of reference designate similar parts in the various views, H) designates an outlet box which is secured in the usual manner to brackets l I through the medium of screws l2. A face plate I3 is provided having a central circular opening 14.

The receptacle includes a cylindrical body l5 having an axial cylindrical opening I 6 and a pair of diametrically opposite slots l1 communicating with the opening and opening through the outer face of the body, as best shown in Figure 8, The bottom of the receptacle is provided with a flange l8. Within the slots are secured spring contacts I9, best shown in Figure 10, each extending longitudinally of and wholly' Within its respective slot and having an integral tab 20 which is secured to the flange I8 through the medium of a screw 2! which forms means for attaching circuit wires 22, as best shown in Figure 1.

A cylindrical shell cover 23 is telescopically engaged over the body I5 and is supported at the bottom edge upon the flange l8. The cover is secured to the body through the medium of a screw 24, best shown in Figure 5. The cover is provided with a closed outer end 25 having a concave outer face .26. A central opening 21 is formed in the end of the cover, adapted to align with the opening I6 of the receptacle body, and a pair of diametrically opposed slots 28 communicating with the opening and these slots are adapted to register with the slots ll of the receptacle body. A flange 29 is formed on the closed outer end of the shell cover and is adapted to abut arms 30 which are secured to the box Ill through the medium of screws 3|, as best shown in Figure 1.

The cap 32 is provided with a centrally disposed stem 33 which engages in the recesses 21 and I6 of the shell cover and receptacle body, respectively. A pair of fins 34, forming conductors, as best shown in Figure 9, extend radially from opposite sides of the stem and the stem is longer than these fins. The fins have rounded bottom edges 35 conforming to the contour of the concave face 26 of the shell cover so that when the stem is inserted endwise in the opening 21 of the shell cover the cap may be rotated axially until the fins register with the slots 28 of the shell cover whereupon endwise pressure may be applied to the cap to insert the cap in the shell body with the fins in good electrical contact with the spring contacts l9. Each fin is provided with a lip 36 which is adapted to be axial cylindrical opening and diametrically op posite slots communicating with the opening and opening through the outer face of the body, a shell cover telescopically engaged over the body and provided with an axial opening and diametrica-lly opposite slots registering with the opening and slots in the body, said shell having a concave outer face, spring contacts extending longitudinally of and wholly within the slots of the body and having portions secured to the body to which conductor wires may be secured, a cap having an axially disposed stem engaged in the openings in the cover and body, and a pair of fins forming conductors extending radially from opposite sides of the stem, said fins having rounded bottom edges conforming to the contour of the concave face of the shell cover, and being adapted to ride on said face when the stem is inserted endwise in the openings of the cover and body until the fins register with the slots of the cover whereupon enolwise pressure may be applied to the cap to insert the cap in the body with the fins in good electrical contact with the spring contacts.

FRANK J. DEKAY. 

